HAL/repositioning cruise with a 12 year old?

[95wavewhite]

Hi All,

My daughter will be turning 13 next August and I promised to take her to Europe for the summer (my dh and I are originally from England).

Rather than fly I would like to cruise and noticed that the Rotterdam leaves NYC May 16 for a 27 night transatlantic/repositioning cruise. The itinerary looks good and there is a diverse group of ports.

I was wondering whether HAL is the right ship for her. I'm presuming there will be a very small group of children (if any) on the ship as school is still in session when it leaves and 27 days is a long time to be on a ship.

Is there much for a teen to do aboard ship? Her tastes in food are very simple. Do we have to dress for dinner every night? She loves to read and watch movies.

We started out cruising with Disney and as shes grown up we've moved to NCL and Princess; none of which compare to the traditional HAL ships.

Does anyone have any experience with HAL and teens; if so I'd love to hear from you?

Angie

[photomikey]

At 12, I suspect she's not yet at the age where she's decided you're the world's biggest imbecile, so you should be okay. I agree that you'll probably see few kids on the ship for that cruise. However, there might be one or two, and sometimes kids that age will bond really well if they find each other.

Because of the geezer-to-youngster ratio on this cruise, I suspect dinner dress will lean more formal, which doesn't mean you can't relax a little and wear (gasp) jeans -- just that you'll be the only ones. On the Ryndam recently, we ate in the lido a few times, and found it quite elegant, while at the same time quick and casual.

Probably a lot of back-to-back sea days on that cruise as well, and I'd worry more about that than anything.

Furthermore, as a 12 year old, I'd probably appreciate a Rick Steves-style "real Europe" tour more than a cruise in which you stop at the touristy ports and buy t-shirts at each stop.

Whatever you decide -- best of luck!

[6rugrats]

I think for my teens, this would be much too long, especially with the sea days. There's not too much to do on the ship and I doubt there would be many, if any other children aboard. Even for a reader, it would get boring fast.

Much rather spend the time on land in Europe. I don't know your daughter, and she might love it, but I wouldn't do it. I think I wouldn't even like being on a ship that long.

[hammybee]

Timing and length of this cruise could easily mean she is the one and only child onboard any transatlatic cruise, on any cruise line. Most schools in the U.S. are still in sesson in mid May.

If your dauther's expectations are managed, she will be fine. What a fabulous opportunity for all of you. I would not have hesitated to take this cruise with my daughter when she was 12. Only you know your daughter and her ability to handle the @ sea days and lack of a peer group.

[Krazy Kruizers]

On our repositioning cruise from Ft Lauderdale to Alaska - 19 days -- only saw crew children and 2 other children.

Club HAL -- not in operation.

Not much for a child to do on the ship.

[Jemima]

This seems to be a 2 part cruise. The first part will likely have very few kids or teens. The second part should have at least a few. I'd have loved to go on this cruise as a 12 or 13 year old even if there weren't other kids.
Ask your granddaughter. I'd suggest you give her information on the cruise and tell her there may not be kids her age.

[cool change]

I agree with the last poster. What a great experience for anyone at any age.
A 12yr old could really see how far countries are from one another and get a glimps of what parts of the world really look like. You know your kid. That probably is the biggest indicator of what would be best.

[Aunty Pat]

I took my niece and nephew on their first HAL cruise when they were 13 and 3 more since then and they loved them all. Going that early in the season there might not be many children.
· Start a roll call to see if you can find other people traveling with their kids.
· She needs to take things to entertain herself whether it bee books, a sketch pad and color pencils, water colors, needle work, computer games, digital camera, etc.
· If she is use to contacting here friends by email have here start a digital diary and share it with her friend on line. It is a good opportunity to work on her writing skills and it helps to keep her from missing her friends.
· Do mother daughter activities like the dance classes, cooking classes and spa days.
· Don’t worry about her having to dress up. At her age if she’s not in jeans, shorts or sweat pants at night she’ll probably be ok. My niece found it a perfect excuse to buy her first grown up dresses before that first cruise and really go into fixing herself up for formal nights.
· Make sure that she goes to the teen get together the first night so that she can hook up with any other teens that may be on the ship.
You should have a wonderful time and create many wonderful memories.

Aunty Pat

[matondo]

What a wonderful opportunity to have some really concentrated family bonding time. You should check to see if Club Hal will be open for this cruise. Even if it is plan on some fun family things to do together. We are taking our DD (she will be 18) for the first time on a 7 day and I am really looking forward to spending some quality time with her. She leaves for college next year. Time passes too quickly take advantage of every moment.